Colome wobbly, but he saves the day once more

For a man who deals in heat, there is a lot of ice inside the veins of Alex Colome.

He is calm. He is placid. He perspires, but he doesn't really sweat.

All he does is save games.

Colome was at it again Tuesday night. At a time when most pitchers would pace and glare, Colome just shuts out the world and retreats to his job. The air around him does not get thin. His palms do not sweat. His mouth does not get dry, not even when Trouble is at bat and Danger is on deck.

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Archer frustrated after giving up two runs in the fifth./CARMEN MANDATO

Colome worked his high-wire act in a 6-5 Rays' victory over Toronto. He was four pitches into his appearance, and he had runners on second and third (a single by Kendrys Morales, a double by Steve Pearce). But Colome, once again, worked his way out of the jam. He got a sacrifice fly, a groundout and a liner to right to earn his 37th save, which leads the majors.

Kiermaier has had a hot bat since returning./CARMEN MANDATO

“I never change,” Colome said. “I try to always be the same pitcher on the mound. I don't do anything if I make a mistake. I try to be calm on the mound and keep the ball down. I don't care if I have the bases loaded or no one on base. We just have to make the out.”

For Colome, it was only his fourth save in the Rays' last 28 games. He hasn't pitched a lot because the Rays have usually been behind. Still, he has put himself in position to be the first Ray to lead the majors in saves.

Manager Kevin Cash was impressed with the way Colome worked his way out of trouble.

“That's what makes Alex special,” he said. “Men on second and third and no outs, six pitches into the inning. We have a two-run lead. His demeanor doesn't change, as if we had two outs and nobody on base in six pitches. That sets him apart.”

Chris Archer got the win for the Rays, striking out 10 batters and allowing only four hits

Hechavarria had two hits in the Rays' win./CARMEN MANDATO

in his six innings.

For the Rays, who have struggled at the plate as of late, Tuesday was a good night for

the offense. The Rays had 12 hits – including home runs by Lucas Duda and Corey Dickerson – and jumped to leads of 4-1 and 6-3.

The Blue Jays got back in the game with two runs in the fifth after right-fielder Steven Souza Jr. tried to dive to catch a ball. He didn't come close and the Jays ended up with men on second and third.

Still, Wilson Ramos had three hits — two of them were infield hits — while Kevin Kiermaier, Evan Longoria, Dickerson and Adeiny Hechavarria all had two hits.The Rays go for their third straight win tomorrow when Austin Pruitt pitches against Marcus Stroman at a 7:10 p.m. game at the Trop.

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About Gary Shelton

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